Comment 1 Legislative Buildings

Stewart, Helen

Redacted 14 January 2020 15:32 DEFA, Planning PA19/01452/B - UpVC front door

Dear Sir

I am taking the unusual step of writing in respect of the above application. I am writing in support of the application.

My understanding is that in the past, a similar application has been refused on the basis of (a) a proposed conservation zone, and (b) detracting from the character and appearance of the property... [and] the surrounding terraces.

A site visit to Victoria Road would show some houses on that road at the top date from the 1990s, and others on the street having very unsympathetic doors. However, on the whole they do not detract from the overall streetscape. Just one street along (Gelling's Avenue), we can see a building which has been built over 1.8 m taller than specification, which was apparently 'not a material difference' in the plans, and for which no enforcement action was taken, whilst on the other hand making it difficult to change one Victorian style door for another. I hope the Committee can see the inconsistencies here, and the frustrations they must cause.

I also challenge the democratic legitimacy of proposed conservation zones, which, being only proposed, have not been approved by Tynwald. I raised this issue in Tynwald on 21 May 2019 when the Minister stated "I hope and expect any conservation issues can be addressed as soon as possible." We await further progress. Until then, some caution should be applied in assuming parliamentary support for conservation areas which have not been placed before the legislature.

Yours faithfully,

Redacted

Speaker of the House of Keys Member of the House of Keys for Rushen Legislative Buildings Douglas ISLE OF MAN IM1 3PW Tel: Twitter: Facebook